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The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's proposed increase in the use rate for imaging equipment to 90% is not realistic based on basic economic principles and a medical work-flow standpoint, according to a study released by the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition. While the proposed increase could lower per-service cost, "a 90 percent utilization factor surpasses the tipping point at which increased utilization becomes counterproductive, increases costs and can overwhelm the system," the analysis said.

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The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's proposed increase in the use rate for imaging equipment to 90% is not realistic based on basic economic principles and a medical work-flow standpoint, according to a study released by the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition. While the proposed increase could lower per-service cost, "a 90 percent utilization factor surpasses the tipping point at which increased utilization becomes counterproductive, increases costs and can overwhelm the system," the analysis said.

A German study on patients without esophagogastric or anorectal malignancies found that increased gastrointestinal F-18 FDG accumulation on PET without CT correlation does not indicate early cancer development. The case does not warrant further investigation, the study said.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is allocating $150 million to advertise the health care reform proposal of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., a source said. The move follows up the group's agreement with Baucus and the White House to provide givebacks and discounts that would cut the cost of health care by $80 billion in a decade.

A recent survey conducted by Zogby Interactive showed that 71% of likely voters are not in favor of the proposed cuts in Medicare reimbursement for tests using advanced imaging, the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition said. About 78% of the respondents said the proposed cuts will affect doctors' ability to diagnose diseases, according to the survey.

A recent survey conducted by Zogby Interactive showed that 71% of likely voters are not in favor of the proposed cuts in Medicare reimbursement for tests using advanced imaging, the Access to Medical Imaging Coalition said. About 78% of the respondents said the proposed cuts will affect doctors' ability to diagnose diseases, according to the survey.